“She competed in the same event as two Olympians, and was the youngest by six years in her weight category. In 12 months Emma has moved from lifting 97kg to 125kg – which is a phenomenal success story and a real testament to the amount of hard work she continues to put into her training.”

During the competition, which took place on 30-31st January in Manchester, Emma consistently lifted her qualifying weight of 115kg. “Weightlifters are incredibly brave athletes.”

“You either lift the weight, or you don’t. You compete on stage, by yourself, with everyone watching. It is as mentally demanding as it is physically. Emma continues to take on both these challenges, and as such is beginning to make a name for herself in the sport.”

Emma’s weightlifting career began impressively when she lifted the highest combined total lifting weight for the U17 Girls category at the Nottingham Open (a total of 97.5kg, 55kg on the clean and jerk and 42.5kg on the snatch).

She won a place in the National Championships after lifting an immense total of 110kg at the Atlas Weightlifting Open, far more than the minimum weight needed to qualify. Emma’s form continued, and she took home the gold medal at the British Youth Weightlifting Championships in Glasgow (after lifting a grand total of 105kg - 45kg snatch and 60kg clean and jerk).

Emma said: “I am highly excited to be able to compete against such incredible athletes and I know it will be a valuable experience for my development in the sport.”